The late Dr Evelyn Scott AO

On behalf of the people of Queensland, my Government has offered the family of the late Dr Evelyn Scott AO a State funeral to celebrate her life as a leader and champion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The family have accepted the offer. The funeral for Dr Scott is to be held in Townsville.

Dr Scott was prominent in the successful campaign for the 1967 Referendum to give the Australian Parliament the power to legislate for Aboriginal peoples. She served as the first general-secretary of the Indigenous-controlled Federal Council for the Advancement of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in the 1970s and later served as Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.

In 2000, as Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Dr Scott said:

“We believe in a resolution of the national conscience that leads to a society where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures are respected and valued as the first peoples of this land and share in the nation's wealth. This recognition should extend into our constitution and all institutions. We extend our hand to other Australians. Those Australians who take our hands are those that dare dream of an Australia that could be.”

Thanks to Dr Scott, more Australians have dared to dream.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791